The Data behind Team Canada's Victory

By: Asa Montreaux

What was the difference in skill, and ability, between Canada and the United States? 

Could a match ever be fixed? What if the NHL wanted Canada to win so we would all watch? 

What if Russia wanted Canada to win so as to not support U.S. politics? What did they think of this contest anyways? As Trudeau takes jabs at Trump, we know they support a side. One might say it was Finland. To be honest they were obviously not politically involved in such a contest, though I thought of other countries' choice to win as I compiled this data.

It seems a very close contest, with Canada less than 80 points, and just one goal ahead of Team USA. It would seem these reason are facetious. Though if the NHL wanted its biggest name brand players, Crosby, McDavid, and MacKinnon to continue to generate money for the NHL, it is likely it drew Canada up as the winner. With a picture perfect finish, McDavid scoring the overtime winner, it is tough to say the NHL executives didn't decide this one.